Photographing the 4x100 Relay #2

Finding a good angle for photographing the 4×100 relay can be a challenge for a number of reasons.  First, you must decide if you are trying to photograph a particular runner. As If so, you must know the exchange zone the runner will be entering or leaving.  If the runner is the leadoff leg of a relay, you will need to be near the first zone.  The only photo opportunities will be as the lead runner brings the baton into the zone, at the exchange or looking for the emotional shot after the exchange as the second runner begins his leg. Likewise these choices are available at each exchange.
Secondly you must know the lane assignment and position for a clear view of the exchange.  The first zone is the best exchange, as the runners typically have not made of the staggered start distance between teams.  This zone allows a better view of the actual exchange, and capturing the pre-exchange and post-exchange reactions of the runners.
If seeking several runners in the picture the second or third zone can be a good photographic position.  Standing beyond the zone, either inside or outside of the track will allow for a strong composition of the outgoing runners as they receive the baton. Taking a photo from a low angle can add the sense of power.  If using a high position from the outside bleaches you may be able to capture the wide-angle view more easily. If you try to be in position of thirty to 45 degrees to the lane you maybe able to capture the emotional reaction of the incoming runners yelling encouragement to the anchor leg.
Location and foreground clutter—In this photo I was attempting to capture the exchange of the gold and black team.  My positioning was in the middle of the exchange zone at a 30-45 degree angle of the runner on the inside of the track. Unfortunately the team in black had made up the stagger and blocked the view of the incoming runner.
Data:  1/2000, ISO 200, White Balance:  Cloudy, 70mm on a 70-220 f/2.8 lens.


This photo came from a series of the same exchange.  By panning the runners I was able to capture the exchange.  Fortunately, the black uniformed team on the inside had cleared the lane and the incoming runner slowed to the edge of the photo.  From a coaching perspective there is a problem with the exchange as the runners timing, extension and exchange need work.
Data:  1/2000, ISO 200, White Balance:  Cloudy, 70mm on a 70-200 f/2.8 lens.



Angle of view:  above outside track.  Again foreground clutter is distracting.  I did capture the moment, but the outgoing runner is cut-off.  This is a sharp photo but panning needs to be better.  This is at exchange zone two (similar to the above photo), so if the team on either side of the team you are photographing makes up the lane stagger getting a clear view is almost impossible..
Data:  1/2000, ISO 200, White Balance:  Cloudy, 70 mm on a 70-200 f/2.8 lens.


The location for this photo is the third and final exchange.  Initially I was attempting to capture a photo of the team in lane six.  By observing the race through the turn it became obvious that  team was way back and would  have a cluttered foreground.  So, I adjusted and followed the first place team through the zone.  My position resulted in the cluttered parking lot background. As this photo is unaltered, it s obvious the horizon is not level as well.  However, the moment of the exchange and the look back of the anchor runner is indicates poor timing in the exchange by the runners.  The full extension of the incoming runner and the turn of the head of the anchor demonstrates their effort to complete the baton exchange.
Data:  1/2000, ISO 200, White Balance:  Cloudy, 70 mm on a 70-200 f/2.8 lens.



This photo is of the first exchange.  It captures the difficulty of timing for the runners and again demonstrates a slow exchange as the incoming runner is too close to the outgoing runner.
Data:  1/1000, ISO 200, White Balance:  Sunny, 180 mm on a 70-200  f/2.8 lens.


This photo captured the emotion of runner #285 as she yells encouragement to her teammate.  It was taken 6 frames after the above photo as camera was in continuous mode.  The cut-off runner to the left of the frame could be considered a distraction.
Data:  1/1000, ISO 200, White Balance:  Sunny, 180 mm on a 70-200 f/2.8 lens.
I hope this blog gives you some ideas to photograph the 4×100 exchanges.  I am obviously still learning and trying to capture the ideal moment and will continue to look for more opportunities.  Let me know your thoughts through comments.